Leadership From Unusual

PlacesJoshua 1:10 – 2:14

The Final Promise

• “. . . for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” [1:9]

• “. . . I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.” [1:5]

• What is God promising Joshua?

His Presence

What a promise!God’s unbroken Presence in

Joshua’s (and our) life• No matter what enemy, trial or temptation may face

us• No matter what trouble, difficulty or problem• No matter the size, strength or destructive potential

of the obstacle• God will be with us• That is why He called His Son, Immanuel • God wants to flood your soul with the rest of His

Presence

How Does a Leader Take Charge

• He gathers the people together• He shares with them the vision he has been

given• He reminds them of their previous promises

and their responsibilities• He is alert to potential problems and seeks

to prevent them before the problem can arise

Map of Tribal Lands

Rest

• x;Wn nuwach {noo'-akh} Meaning: to rest, but with the idea of settling

• Joshua 11:23 So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD had spoken to Moses, and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Thus the land had rest from war.

• Joshua 14:15 Now the name of Hebron was formerly Kiriath-arba; for Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim. Then the land had rest from war.

• Joshua 21:44 And the LORD gave them rest on every side, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers, and no one of all their enemies stood before them; the LORD gave all their enemies into their hand.

• Joshua 22:4 "And now the LORD your God has given rest to your brothers, as He spoke to them; therefore turn now and go to your tents, to the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan.

• Joshua 23:1 Now it came about after many days, when the LORD had given rest to Israel from all their enemies on every side, and Joshua was old, advanced in years,

• Exodus 33:14 And He said, "My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.“

• Matthew 11:29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.

God Wants to Give us Rest

• The rest of salvation and deliverance from sin

• The rest of peace of heart and mind• The rest of assurance and confidence in

Him• The rest of purpose, meaning and

significance• The rest of fulfillment and satisfaction

When the Believer Comes to Recognize this Rest

• He knows where he has come from• He knows why he is here• And he knows where he is going

• A godly leader always learns from his predecessor’s mistakes [2:1, 23-24]

• The actions of Rahab [2:2-7]• How should we evaluate these actions –

possible considerations:– Because Rahab was not a Jew, she was not held

accountable for breaking Jewish law– God forgave these wrongful actions because of

their subsequent faith– They were doing things that were acceptable in

time of war, when the rules are a little different – Each of these parties broke a lesser principle in

order to uphold a higher principle

Some Final Thoughts

• The story of Rahab is clear evidence that will use anyone to further His purposes and to provide leadership to His people

• But leadership is not about titles as much as it is about influence– She was chosen by God and responded to His

selection– She was a help in time of need with her:• Quick wisdom• Gutsy style• Clever plan

Some Final Thoughts

• What color was the cord that was suspended from Rahab’s window?• It was the same color as the blood

painted on the doorposts in the Passover celebration• It speaks of salvation by the blood.